The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-10

lady-love somewhere between her two
hiding places. And, with that end in view,
he beto ok himself, latter an early breakfast,
to the lower road, where he lay in wait
for couple of hours in the hope that she
would appear. Nita was earlier still,
and, before Ned had reached his station,
had climb I'd the hill slope with wary
swiftness regained home by the back
door. So Ned waited in vain, till the
church bells began to ring, when he was
fain to repair to church, there to get
what comfort he could by the contem
across the width of two sisles and row
of pewe. There was a rose in her hat,
and still more exquisite rose in her
fair cheeks as she gave him shy
glance and smile at the conclusion of
the sermon, which filled him anew with
the ardor of pursuit. So sweet a Great
ure was surely worth waiting for, work
ing for; and he departed, vowing to him.
self that his next coming should not end
in like defeat.
| During the intervening week he re-
hectsd deeply on the situation, and the
result of these meditations appeared in
the fact, made possible by dint of good
deal of extra work and planning, that he
took the earlier train up the valley, in
stead of that by which he had usually
gone. This train set him down at the
station about half-pa three.
He did not ring at DR.. Bigelow's door
this time, but, after brief stay at the inn,
betook himself to the lower street, where,
from the screen of thick clump of low
trees, he watched the path, while indulg-
ing in cigar. The village clock struck
five. Ned's senses were on the alert, and
when quarter Of an hour later, light
rustling sounded on the hill slope above,
it reached his ear. Removed few steps,
keeping himself carefully hidden, and
caught the hutter OF blue skirt which he
seemed to RENE m Der.
"Aha, my shy beauty, is that the way
you Gomez" he said to himself, as, with
the wary quiet Of deer stalker, he NOV
ed to intercept her, timing himself by her
footsteps So skilfully was this effected
that Nita heard no sound, saw no person,
until flushed with her rapid walk, she
jumped from the banks edge into the
road, to find herself almost in the arms
ready to help her down.
"YouP she cried in confused amaze.
ment. 81 thought you never could get
away till the late train"
"This is an exception" politely. 81
made great effort to come in the earlier
one, hoping to have chance to see you
before your various Sabbath duties be-
gan, and without coming in contact with
them"
Nita bit her lips to hide smile.
SLOW long Is it?' he continued, as he
slowly walked by her side, "since you
took to keeping Sundays thirty six hours
long? Is not that very large allowance
for one week."
"One can never have too much of a
good thing" said NIts, demurely. "But
I don't always KEEP such long Sundays;
only of late I've been with grandmamma.
She's very particular about Saturday
night"
$50 your old servant said. And your
father is equally particular about Sun
day night?"
"Yes."
SLOW singular Well the sun doesn't
set for nearly three quarters OF an hour
yet. This small secular space you can
devote to me. can you not? Nita" with
sudden energy-"the time is short.
How can 1 help being abrupt? You
wont give me time to be anything else.
you know. You must koow what has
brought me here all these weeks. I have
come for it again. Did you run away
from me on purpose? Must take it as
meaning that you wish hadn't Gomez?
"Oh, no." cried Nita, unwarily. Then
her cheeks dyed with sudden crimson;
she tried to retract.
"Why do you say that 1 know? How
can know? You never told me-"
81 think you do know, my dearest"
said Ned Baum, taking her hand gently.
81 think you must know, for have told
you in thousand ways. But now let me
tell it in words. Nita, sweetest, love you
with all my heart and soul. Can you
care at all for me in return? Will you
be my wifeP" The brave brown eyes
looked strf light into the shy gray ones
There is magic in bold wooing. As
Nita listened to the tender irsistent voice,
felt the strong clasp, and met the honest,
wistful gaze, her reluctance seemed to
melt All at once she felt like saying
yes.
81 think sos" she said.
Then her lovers arm folded round her,
she felt his kiss on her lips, and she did
not shrink, but chung to him like child,
in happy silence. A wonderful sense of
content possessed her. Why had she 80
long avoided and deferred it?
"My darling, am so Very happy"
said Ned.
$50 am L." she whispered.
sand why on earth haven't we been
happy before9"
81 don't know"
And, truly, 1 think Nita did not know.